There are many rules for social media use within healthcare.
Usually these will come down from upon high via an organizations HR department, with strict attention to obeying HIPPA rules, and with a focus on not embarrassing the organization. These will be rules on what not to do, not what to do.
Fine, as far as it goes.
You can also look further for social media rules – outside of healthcare – but with more of a pure business focus, such as the The Ten Content Marketing Commandments. (My Favorite is #7: Though Shall Atomize Content)
With a little bit a creativity these rules will come in handy for healthcare as a business.
But I am going to suggest a two word, six letter rule which will keep you out of a lot of trouble:
Be kind.
If you always keep this rule front and center you will avoid many problems, and hopefully help some people along the way.
- It will encourage avoidance of common sense problems, such as inappropriate words.
- It will restrain you from posting angry, when you are most likely to err.
- It will respect others privacy – aka HIPPA.
- It will suggest you write for the benefit and ease of the readers, with simple words and simple grammar ( dare I say, the “Strunk and White” approach to Twitter? )
- Finally, it will remind you to approach sensitive topics with compassion.
Be kind.
Not fancy.
But useful.